Canon Richard Dixon: History of Church of England from the Abolition of ...

ENGLAND'S AUTHORITY PROBLEM

Jan 1533, Dr. Cranmer is getting hustled back to England from his ambassadorial mission to the Roman Imperator’s Court and 11 bulls are being hypersonically trafficked between Henry and Rome for Tom to become the ABC—he’d never even been a Bishop, but Henry knew his views and pliability. Henry needed Dr. Cranmer to join the Triumvirate—Henry, Crumwell and Cranmer. Gardiner, Wily Winchester, was widely seen as the likely candidate—he had “brought his game” in Henry’s favor, but his severity sidelined him. In February, 1533, the Convocation is debating the King’s cause--the clergy are divided into theologians and canonists. The questions are submitted to each group. AUTHORITY IS THE ISSUE. Pope? Roman Cardinals? University opinions? Theologians? Canonists and canonical law? DOMINANCE HIERARCHY. We must not forget Dr. Cranmer’s travels, academics and interactions in Germany, France, and Italy. He’s well-read in reformation literature, but he was hard to read, theologically. Plus, he has a wife in tow. Authority? Dr. Cranmer is made the Archbishop of Canterbury on 31 March 1533—hypersonic bulls fly-out, leave and arrive back in England. Dr. Cranmer offers two protests in his Oath of Obedience to the Pope. In April, 1533, Dr. Cranmer writes two obsequious letters to the King requesting authority to proceed to trial on the Great Question. Of course, the outcome is rigged, but the “rude” are in turmoil and the “chiefs of religion” are in workshops of whisperings. For the rank-and-file: AUTHORITY is the issue. The Pope’s authority has been broken on this matter. Henry’s authority is getting puffed and Catherine’s authority will be memory-holed. What of Biblical authority? The Dunstable Trial will begin on 8 May and conclude 23 May 1533—Crumwell gets routine, daily intel reports. Cranmer wants the (jerry-rigged) ruling concealed during the hearings.